The body of a man killed in a suspected arson attack in Bray, Co Wicklow has been removed for a post mortem.

The fire broke out at a terraced house at Oldcourt Avenue at around 4:30am.

A 55-year-old man was taken from the house by the fire brigade, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's son, who is in his 20s, was also in the house at the time but he managed to escape unhurt through a back window. Neighbours tried to save his wheelchair bound father but the flames pushed them back.

The scene has been closed off for a technical examination.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady knew the victim well and says the community is devastated:

It is not the first time a house fire has taken a life in the built up Oldcourt estate: in 2001, a 27-year-old mother and her infant son died when their semi-detached home went up in flames.

It is seven years to the day that two Bray fire fighters lost their lives battling a blaze at a disused ink factory just a 10 minute drive from Oldcourt Avenue.

Gardaí, who are calling today's fire 'suspicious', are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in the vicinity of Oldcourt Avenue before 4:30am this morning.

Elsewhere, two adults and two children have escaped a second domestic fire in north Co Dublin.

The fire in Holywell in Swords broke out at around midnight.

The two children have been taken to Temple Street hospital, while the woman has been brought to Beaumont for treatment.

Originally posted at 7:33am